The 52 most incredible places to visit in 2018

Rosie Perper,Rosie PerperJan 17, 2018, 10:17 IST

The story of the war in the Ypres region is told by performances and music set to a backdrop of visual projections on the facade of the Cloth Hall during commemorations marking the centenary of Passchendale on July 30, 2017 in Ypres, Belgium. Dignitaries and descendants of those who fought are gathering to mark the centenary of Passchendaele, the third battle of Ypres, on 30 and 31 July 2017. The campaign saw intense fighting over 3 months, 1 week and 3 days with historians currently agreeing that both sides suffered losses of around 260,000 casualties each.Leon Neal/Getty Images

Vierwaldstattersee, Switzerland

Vierwaldstattersee, also known as Lake Lucerne, is a picturesque and popular lakeside mountain town undergoing major development.

To encourage travel to the area, visitors in the colder months will automatically receive the William Tell Pass, which can be used for a variety of transportation options in the region.

Route of Parks, Chile

Route of Parks, Chile

Chile has become a travel mecca with its rich history and natural beauty.

The Patagonia region is renowned for its spectacular and challenging hikes. 2018 marks the year the 1,500-mile stretch of trail will become the Route of Parks.

Gangwon Province, South Korea

Gangwon Province, South Korea

The Gangwon Province in South Korea will soon be a major global hotspot when it hosts the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

The area is also known for its whitewater rafting and hiking, in addition to winter sports.

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Cincinnati opened three new theatres to entice travelers looking for a dose of culture.

The iconic Music Hall underwent a $143 million renovation, as did the Ensemble Theater and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, which both saw major face lifts in preparation for 2018.

Kingdom of Bhutan

Kingdom of Bhutan

Bhutan is breathtaking, given its glorious mountain ranges and nearly untouched local culture.

In 2018, luxury hotel developer Six Senses will open five high-end retreats across Bhutan, combining Bhutan's natural beauty with indulgent travel.

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland

Scotland's trendy locale Glasgow is set to see a major revival.

Some 250 architectural projects are set to open through 2025, including hotels, shops, and residences, according to The New York Times.

East Cape and Corridor, Los Cabos, Mexico

East Cape and Corridor, Los Cabos, Mexico

Cabo is best-known for its party scene filled with Western transplants.

Neighboring East Cape and Corridor are set to become competitors in 2018 with the opening of several contemporary restaurants and hotels to liven up the coastal strip.

Top End, Northern Territory, Australia

Top End, Northern Territory, Australia

Australia's Top End, the northernmost part of the remote Northern Territory, has seen an influx of tourists looking to get a feel for the rich, aboriginal culture and history there, according to The New York Times.

Cambodia's coast

Cambodia's coast

Cambodia's lesser-known beaches and white-sand coastline will likely become a tourist hub with the opening of new routes and direct flights to Sihanoukville International Airport in the popular coastal city.

Luwa Plain National Park, Zambia

Luwa Plain National Park, Zambia

This region has stepped up its conservation efforts with the help of the non-profit African parks, and opened up a permanent camp in 2017 called King Lewanika Lodge where visitors can see the second-largest wildebeest migration in the world each November.

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

The city celebrates the 200th birthday of Maryland-born abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass and will be jam-packed with cultural events throughout 2018.

Honshu, Japan

Arles, France

Arles, France

Arles is set to see a huge art makeover in its city. Five former industrial buildings will be transformed into galleries, parks, and exhibition halls over the next two years, according to The New York Times.

Kuelap, Peru

Kuelap, Peru

Kuélap is referred to as "the fortress in the clouds," and hosts the site of a breathtaking pre-Incan settlement built by the “Cloud Warrior” people of the northern Andes.

A cable car system that runs two and a half miles was installed in 2017 to enable visitors to travel to the nearest town of Nuevo Tingo in just 20 minutes.

Iceland

Rogue River, Oregon

Rogue River, Oregon

Oregon is renowned for its beautiful natural scenery, and Rogue River is no exception. Rafting trips are available through Rogue's forests and canyons, and a 40-mile-long trail is available to those who prefer to tackle the place by foot.

Lithuania

Lithuania

Lithuania, which boasts a UNESCO listed world heritage site in its capital of Vilnius, celebrates its 100th birthday since restoring itself as an independent democracy in 2018.

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, New York

Three new breweries and two new luxury hotels, the Hotel Henry and the Curtiss Hotel, just opened in New York City's northern neighbor.

Also, the $27 million children’s museum will open downtown, making Buffalo a more family-friendly location.

La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz offers a new and expanding cable-car system to see the city from a bird's-eye view.

Bristol, England

Bristol, England

Bristol is a hipster's paradise, with a thriving street-art scene and gorgeous annual festivals.

The city hopes to step up its art game in 2018. One of Britain's oldest theatres,Bristol Old Vic is set to upgrade to 188-seats, and St. George’s Bristol concert hall is slated to add modern fixtures as well.

Laos

Laos

Laos is set to revamp its Luang Prabang region in 2018 with several modern luxury resorts.

More flights from most major Asian cities and a train link to China are in the works to make the UNESCO site more accessible.